Nova Scotians have a deep commitment to military service that we are extremely proud of. Generations of Nova Scotians have answered the call to serve on land, at sea and in the sky, supported by their community, family and friends.

Nova Scotia is Canada's capital of defence. We have a robust defence ecosystem with well-established maritime defence industries, secure infrastructure and unique defence innovation hubs. Our strategic location, proven defence infrastructure and active service members ensure rapid response and create a strong foundation for growth.

Nova Scotia's businesses, military community and labour force partners are building capacity for the opportunities on the horizon.

By the numbers

Nova Scotia is a leader in naval defence, advanced shipbuilding, sonar and sensing, cybersecurity, and training and simulation.

• Nova Scotia is home to the largest formation of the Canadian Navy, anchored by the country's largest naval base, Canadian Forces Base Halifax (CFB Halifax) and the Maritime Forces Atlantic Headquarters (MARLANT), supporting 18 ships and submarines
• Canada's Navy is investing in 15 River-Class Destroyer ships, to be built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, Nova Scotia
• aerospace and defence firms in Nova Scotia generate close to CAD $2.6 billion in real GDP and employ 17,000+ people
• Nova Scotia has over 13,000 military personnel in the province
• chosen by NATO for its DIANA headquarters and accelerator at COVE
• half of Canada's top 20 defence companies call the province home
• 6 out of Canada's top 10 defence companies are in Nova Scotia
• Invest Nova Scotia's venture capital team supports the industry to scale up to meet future needs
• Nova Scotia has a thriving innovation ecosystem with more than 300 entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups, plus several major universities and research centres
• Nova Scotia is North America's closest air link to Europe and has Canada's only direct express digital link to Europe with the EXA Express transatlantic subsea fibre cable

Join us in supporting Canada's defence future

Nova Scotia is proud to defend – but we're even stronger when our community stands with us. Stay informed, champion the people who serve and be part of a province that leads the country with courage and innovation.

Our people

Behind every mission and milestone are the Nova Scotians who serve – and the families and communities who stand with them. Their dedication is at the heart of everything we do.

Nova Scotia has an established military presence here and over 13,000 military personnel in the province. More than 130 aerospace and defence firms are based in Nova Scotia and employ over 17,000 people.

That's a lot of expertise living and working right here in Nova Scotia.

A strategic east coast gateway

Nova Scotia's geographic position and digital infrastructure provide a major strategic advantage.

Our province connects Canada to the world – with the closest major airports to Europe and the U.S., and Canada's only express digital link to Europe. Nova Scotia is home to the only U.S. preclearance facility in Atlantic Canada and 24/7 Canada Customs services – plus NEXUS and CANPASS programs for frequent travellers.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is rapidly becoming one of North America's most internationally connected hubs. In recent years, multiple carriers have introduced or expanded non‑stop service from Halifax to key markets across Europe and the United States, strengthening Nova Scotia's role as a transatlantic gateway.

Our strategic location is one of the reasons why NATO chose Nova Scotia for its DIANA headquarters and accelerator at COVE.

A thriving defence ecosystem

Nova Scotia is best positioned to build solutions for the future of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our province has the military assets, a robust research and development hub, innovative technologies and leading companies to put Canada on the cutting edge of defence. Half of Canada's top 20 defence companies are in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia defence assets map (86KB PDF)

Innovative expertise

NATO-aligned hub for defence innovation

Nova Scotia is a recognized hub for defence innovation and strategic partnership with NATO, making it an exceptional location for organizations operating at the intersection of security, technology and resilience. The region's longstanding role in supporting allied maritime and defence operations has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem where government, industry and academic institutions collaborate on cutting-edge solutions for modern defence challenges.

Underwater vehicles and underwater sensors

Nova Scotia's defence technology cluster includes advanced research in autonomous systems, maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity and sensor technologies, and areas of direct relevance to NATO's operational priorities. The decision by NATO to establish a key presence and innovation activities in Halifax further validates the province's strategic value, reinforcing Nova Scotia as a centre where allied defence innovation is not only developed but actively deployed.

Training and simulation

Nova Scotia hosts world-leading training and simulation companies. The province is equipped to support integrated training solutions including: training needs analysis, instructional design, content development, integrated learning environments and training simulation products.

Training now for today and tomorrow

Nova Scotia has a thriving innovation ecosystem with more than 300 entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups, plus several major universities and research centres.

Additionally, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) offers a wide variety of programs at 14 campuses throughout the province, while the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) helps meet growing demand for skilled trades workers across sectors including construction, infrastructure and defence.

To help grow the skilled trades workforce, Nova Scotia is investing $25 million to establish the Institute of Skilled Trades at NSCC, modernizing training environments and preparing more Nova Scotians for careers in high-demand trades.

NSAA is also expanding its Enhanced Direct Entry (EDE) programs to support major infrastructure and defence-related projects. These accelerated 12-week programs provide foundational training in construction-related trades, with employers helping identify workforce needs and participating in candidate screening to strengthen workforce attachment and connect trainees directly to jobs. In 2026, the province invested an additional $3.6 million to double EDE training capacity through 2030.

Defence Security and Resilience Bank

Canada offers stability, trust and global credibility – an ideal national home for the Defence Security & Resilience Bank (DSRB). Within Canada, Nova Scotia stands apart: a jurisdiction that brings together security, scalability, talent and connectivity to deliver immediate operational readiness and long term resilience.

Nova Scotia is not just a strong contender. It is the only jurisdiction that delivers the full spectrum of capabilities the DSRB requires.

Proven operational advantages

Nova Scotia offers a set of advantages that directly support the DSRB’s mission:

• a rare combination of financial operations, growing technology workforce, maritime defence, cybersecurity capacity, NATO innovation and required infrastructure in a single jurisdiction
• a security-first environment with mature controls, trusted institutions and strong public–private sector collaboration
• a scalable operating model supported by proven shared services and modern digital infrastructure
• time zone alignment enabling seamless coordination across North American and transatlantic partners
• cost efficiency without trade-offs in quality, security, or performance
• robust connectivity and continuity, with resilient networks and supplier redundancy across sites

Economic impact and growth potential

Hosting the DSRB would generate high‑value employment, increased demand for finance and professional services, and align with Nova Scotia's position as a global leader in both defence finance and innovation.

The development group advancing the DSRB has publicly suggested the bank could grow to employ approximately 3,500 direct high‑value jobs within four years.

The bottom line

Canada is the ideal jurisdiction for the DSRB.

Nova Scotia offers the optimal base of operations to deliver the bank's core functions with reliability, security and scale.

Nova Scotia is ready to partner on a fast, secure and low-risk stand-up of the DSRB's core operations in Halifax designed for resilience from day one and built to scale for decades.

Defence Security & Resilience Bank (DSRB) Proposal (7.1 MB PDF)

Related information

• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
• Defence Security & Resilience Bank (DSRB) Proposal (PDF)
• Invest Nova Scotia Defence and Aerospace
• Nova Scotia Works
• Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency